The swimming pool dome at the Oasis Leisure Centre has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Historic England’s advice.
The Oasis Leisure Centre, designed by Peter Sargent of Gillinson, Barnett and Partners in 1974, opened on New Year’s Day of 1976.
The swimming pool is described by Historic England as an early example of the newly developed building type, which went on to gain huge popularity in the 1970s and ‘80s, marking the cultural shift from swimming for fitness to swimming for fun.
Historic England says that most of the early examples of these buildings have now been lost to redevelopment.
The 45-metre swimming pool dome is deemed an architecturally-striking and technically accomplished structure. Externally, it rises from a grassy bank, while internally, the aluminium spaceframe provides a dramatic setting for the pool and is well-suited to its use, having withstood the corrosive pool environment.
While the glazing has been replaced, Historic England says the architectural concept remains apparent. It was carefully planned by architects to create a fun and attractive leisure space, and the key features of the concept survive, including the free-form lagoon pool with its sloping, beach-like approach, and the infrastructure for a tropical planting scheme.
Its design is said to remain synonymous with the early development of the leisure pool.
The listing has been limited to include only the domed pool. The dry-sports side of the building; the waterslides, their launch tower and splash pool; the linking entrance block; and the service structures are not included in the listing.
A spokesperson for Historic England said: "We will support Swindon Borough Council and the owner to address the condition of the building and to find a sustainable future use."
Your Comments
Be the first to comment on this article
Login or Register to post a comment on this article